FARMWORKER APPRECIATION DAY – STEP UP celebrate
Every 6th August, we celebrate the Farmworker Appreciation Day, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of the agricultural workers.
Farmworker Appreciation Day is a day dedicated to recognising and honouring the contributions of farmworkers, because they play a crucial role in agriculture, providing essential labour that helps produce the food we eat. This day serves as an opportunity to acknowledge their hard work, dedication and the challenges they face.
History of Farming
One of the oldest professions in the world is the farmer. The man began to cultivate the land and domesticate animals in prehistoric times. People have put these populations under their care for a number of reasons: to help with work, as a source of food or valuable raw materials (eg wool, cotton and silk) or to be pets. The cultivation of plants began at least 12,000 years ago with cereals in the Middle East and squash in Asia. Sheep, goats and cows were domesticated approximately 10,500 years ago, while pigs were tamed about 8,000 years ago. Agriculture emerged in at least 11 different regions worldwide , leading to the cultivation of various crops and the breeding of animals.
After all those years, farmers have earned their special day, which has a rich history, rooted in the labour movements of the 1960s in the United States. It started with Filipino farmworkers in California who demanded better working conditions and higher wages. Their protests eventually led to the formation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) union. And from 1994, the 6th of August was declared as Farmworker Appreciation Day
Modern EU farming
As the International Labour Organization (ILO) point out, around 1.3 billion people are engaged in agriculture worldwide. Besides farmworkers, this refers to those involved in related activities such as farming, forestry and fishing. According to the European Commission, there are approximately 10-12 million people employed in agriculture across the EU member states. This number encompasses a wide range of roles within the agricultural sector, including farmworkers.
The EU has implemented various policies to improve their working conditions and ensure fair treatment, but challenges such as seasonal employment instability and limited access to social services persist. Recognising these challenges is a crucial part of Farmworker Appreciation Day, as it fosters a deeper understanding and empathy for the individuals behind the agricultural process and underscores the need for continued advocacy and support.
Farmworkers in the STEP UP project
For the STEP UP team, every day is Farmworker Appreciation Day. The team is dedicated to supporting European farming communities with new and sustainable livestock production systems, while educating farmers about innovative and more sustainable farming methods. The Horizon Europe project, STEP UP, which began in January 2024 and will run until December 2027, aims to upgrade livestock production in Europe and enhance the future of farming.
STEP UP is set to transform European Livestock Production Systems (ELPS) by analysing and integrating data from Innovative Livestock Production Systems (ILPS).
ELPS encompass the traditional, commonly used approaches to raising and managing livestock within Europe. These systems are characterized by established agricultural norms and practices that have been historically prevalent in European livestock farming. ELPS represent the conventional methods employed in livestock production across the continent.
ILPS departs from conventional livestock farming approaches and introduces novel strategies characterized by holistic management practices. These systems integrate cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance animal welfare. ILPS introduce alternative paradigms in livestock farming, offering innovative solutions that may lead to more sustainable and resilient production methods.
These cutting-edge, technology-driven techniques are designed to promote more informed and sustainable livestock farming. By improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing animal welfare, STEP UP aims to pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable future in livestock production. Farmers play a central role in our project. Thanks to their hard work and sacrifice, we have food security, and their commitment to progress enables us to make livestock production as sustainable as possible.
So, on Farmworker Appreciation Day, let’s take a moment to thank those who truly keep the world fed.
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